The Leela Palace New Delhi, India 🇮🇳

Rooftop Infinity Pool, Palace Charm, and a Club Room Without Club Access

In the stately, tranquil Diplomatic Enclave of Chanakyapuri, The Leela Palace New Delhi stands like a sandstone-colored palace with a golden dome — and up on the roof, the city’s only heated infinity pool awaits you, complete with fresh lemonade, a cold towel, and birds of prey circling overhead. Here, a stay full of contrasts unfolds, blending colonial charm with modern sophistication. Whether palace splendor or communication chaos ultimately prevails, we’ll reveal in our in-depth review.

Review #128

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Location

The Leela Palace New Delhi is located on Africa Avenue right in the heart of the Chanakyapuri Diplomatic Enclave — that is, in the same quiet, green diplomatic district in the south of the city where the Hyatt Regency is also located. Numerous embassies, including that of the United States, as well as Rashtrapati Bhavan (India’s presidential palace), are located right in the neighborhood. There’s little sign here of the hustle and bustle and traffic chaos found around Connaught Place; instead, the area has an almost stately, tranquil atmosphere.

You’re still well-positioned for sightseeing, though: India Gate, the government district, and some of Delhi’s most famous landmarks are just a short drive away. So if you’re looking for a diplomatic atmosphere, plenty of green space, and a central location, this is the perfect spot for you.

Getting There

From Delhi Airport (DEL), the trip by taxi or hotel shuttle takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic — though it tends to be closer to the upper end of that range, since Chanakyapuri is located a bit further toward the city center.

Reaching this neighborhood by metro is a bit less straightforward than getting to other parts of the city, since the Diplomatic Enclave is intentionally kept quiet and has limited public transportation access. A taxi, tuk-tuk, or hotel shuttle are definitely the more comfortable options here.

If you’re traveling by train, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes by taxi from New Delhi Railway Station, depending on traffic conditions.

Of course, Delhi’s traffic is Delhi’s traffic — you’ll definitely need to stay calm and keep your cool on this route as well.

We took an Uber from our previous hotel, Hyatt Regency Delhi, and the short ride took just under 10 minutes.

Booking

As always, we booked the smallest room category — this time, in fact, only about a week before arrival — through our own booking platform so we could take advantage of the special additional amenities.

The Leela Palace New Delhi currently offers you the following benefits with the Virtuoso rate:

• Free breakfast daily for two guests per room

• A 50-minute massage for up to two guests per room

• Free basic Wi-Fi every day

• Early check-in and late check-out (if available)

• Free upgrade (if available at check-in)

However, we opted for the Preferred Platinum Rate, which was also available and currently offers the following alternative benefits:

• instead of a 50-minute massage for up to two guests per room
• $100 hotel credit for on-site dining during your stay
• Otherwise, all the benefits are the same as with the Virtuoso Rate

We also thought that, at the rate we chose, we would earn points toward GHA status. Unfortunately, though — at least during our stay — that didn’t work out.

Check-in

We arrived at the hotel by taxi, and — as is customary at luxury hotels in India — the car was first checked for bombs. We were then greeted very warmly in the driveway, our suitcases were unloaded and stored, and then escorted the short distance to the lobby, where the welcome ceremony was already taking place.

First, we were adorned with a floral garland before receiving a colored dot on the forehead and the blessing of light — which was a truly beautiful welcome. Afterward, we headed to a couch in the Lobby, where we checked in and were served a welcome drink — which, unfortunately, neither of us liked at all. In fact, we unfortunately had to wait a good quarter of an hour before we were checked in, but the Lobby was wonderfully cool and is a really nice place, so the wait didn’t seem quite as long.

During the check-in process, all the benefits of the Preferred Partner Rate we had booked were discussed, and we were told that we had been upgraded to a Club Room. Upon asking what benefits the Club Room offered and exactly when the happy hour in the Club Lounge took place, we were informed that while we would be receiving a Club Room, we unfortunately would not have Club access. Regrettably, we still haven’t figured out what makes a Club Room a “Club Room” without Club access.

The Leela Palace New Delhi at a Glance

It’s worth taking a look at the history books here: Captain C. P. Krishnan Nair, a former army captain from India, didn’t actually begin his career in the hotel industry, but rather in the textile business, dealing in hand-woven fabrics and lace in Mumbai. On his business trips through Europe and the U.S., he got to know a very special kind of hotel at places like the Adlon Kempinski in Berlin, the Dorchester in London, and the Waldorf-Astoria in New York — and he began to wonder why there wasn’t an Indian hotel that could compete with these world-class establishments.

In 1981, he founded Hotel Leelaventure Ltd., and in 1986, he opened his first property in Mumbai, right next to the airport. He named the entire group after the most important person in his life: his wife, Leela. Goa, Bangalore, and Kerala followed — one Leela Palace after another, each with its own architectural character, inspired by the respective region. In 2011, The Leela Palace New Delhi opened.

Today, The Leela ranks among the world’s best hotel brands and was even voted the second-best hotel brand globally in 2026 — transforming from a textile retailer into a world-class luxury brand.

The Leela Palace New Delhi opened in April 2011, making it one of the relatively newer major luxury hotels in the city. Architecturally, the hotel is deliberately modeled after the style of Sir Edwin Lutyens, the British architect who shaped much of colonial New Delhi — and the building itself is correspondingly palatial and monumental, featuring a sandstone-colored facade and a golden dome modeled after Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The hotel offers a total of 254 rooms and Suites. The classic guest rooms, such as the Grande Deluxe and Premier Rooms, are located on floors 2 through 7, while the upper floors also house the Lounge and an additional restaurant. In addition to these standard rooms, there are dedicated Royal Club rooms that include butler service and access to the Royal Club Lounge, as well as several Suite categories, including the Presidential Suite with its own fitness room and separate dining area.

The culinary offerings here are top-notch: In addition to the all-day dining restaurant The Qube, there’s Jamavar, a restaurant specializing in Indian cuisine; Megu, a Japanese restaurant; and Le Cirque, the first Asian branch of the legendary New York fine-dining restaurant. There’s also the Library Bar & Lounge and a spa area in partnership with ESPA.

A special highlight is the rooftop pool on the 11th floor — the only temperature-controlled infinity pool on a rooftop terrace in all of Delhi, offering a spectacular view of the city.

Overall, The Leela Palace New Delhi feels significantly more modern and “fresh” than the somewhat dated Hyatt Regency Delhi, while remaining just as opulent and palatial — a true grand hotel of more recent construction.

Rooms

As mentioned earlier, we were booked into a Club room. The upgrade was based on the rate we booked — but unfortunately, did not include Club Lounge access.

So let’s take a closer look at Room No. 741 together.

Welcome

As soon as we checked into our room, a small welcome gift of fruit and cookies was waiting for us. As we returned from the pool later that afternoon, we also found the special welcome surprise that was included as part of our specially booked rate. There, four small, sweet cake treats were waiting for us.

Entrance

Right behind the bedroom door, you’ll find yourself in an elegant hallway, with the bathroom off to the right. To the left, there’s a luggage rack as well as two built-in closets.

The first closet right next to the entrance mainly contains accessories such as a shoehorn and a yoga mat. The second closet contains an iron and ironing board, as well as the safe.

Living Room and Bedroom

Continue straight ahead, and you’ll find yourself in the room’s relatively spacious living and sleeping area. Of course, the bed takes up most of the space, but in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, there’s also a comfortable armchair with a small table, as well as a sturdy desk that’s fully equipped so you can actually get some work done here.

The king-size bed was really comfortable, though on the firmer side — if you prefer a bed that’s as soft as a cloud, this one probably isn’t for you. In addition to the pillows provided, you can also choose from a pillow menu, which I think is a really great thing to have. The comforter is just the right thickness — light enough to be comfortable and just thick enough to still be cozy.

On each of the two nightstands, a water bottle and a glass with a silver lid (!!!) were already waiting on an elegant silver tray. Interestingly, there are also phones and notepads on both sides of the bed! Of course, there are also individually controllable bedside lamps and electrical outlets.

The design and decor are really quite unique and have a distinctly colonial feel — so they might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they’re certainly not bad and definitely evoke the atmosphere of days long past.

To the left of the room’s entrance, the minibar is tucked away in an opulent sideboard. On the countertop, you’ll find the electric kettle and cups with tea bags. The left door contains red wine, tequila, and glasses, while the right door holds the capsule coffee machine and a selection of sweet and savory snacks. In the middle is a small refrigerator stocked with a variety of soft drinks, water, Prosecco, and beer.

Of course, a hotel with such high standards of service as offered by The Leela Palace Delhi provides its guests with turn-down service. While you’re out for dinner, the curtains are drawn, the bedside lamps are turned on and the ceiling lights are turned off, also the bed is made ready for the night by removing the bedspread and decorative pillows.

Bathroom

The relatively spacious bathroom features plenty of gold and marble. The vanity is located directly across from the door and features two sinks. You’ll also find the usual toiletries and additional amenities here. The Leela Palace Delhi offers the chain’s own Tishya products — interestingly, still provided in small individual bottles. That’s actually no longer common these days, given the focus on sustainability.

On the left is the large bathtub with a mirror above it, as well as a monitor and various bath products designed specifically for the tub, plus spa music and lighting effects that can be turned on separately!

On the right is the spacious shower, which is equipped with a bench but, unfortunately, does not have a rain shower option. Here, too, you’ll find the usual toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Right next to it is the toilet.

View

From our room, we had a really great view of the park across the street and the surrounding residential buildings, as well as the street in front of the hotel. Standing by the window was a great spot to watch the hustle and bustle on the street below.

Lounge

As mentioned earlier, The Leela Palace New Delhi also offers its guests a Club Lounge. This Lounge is generally accessible to guests staying in Club rooms and Suites. In our case, although we were upgraded to a Club Room, we unfortunately did not receive Club access. Accordingly, we’re afraid we can’t provide you with any further information about the Club Lounge.

Hotel Activities

Pool

On the roof of The Leela Palace New Delhi is the hotel’s real star: the infinity pool. When you arrive up there, you’ll first be warmly welcomed and escorted to an open spot, where towels will be laid out for you on the lounge chairs. Right after that, you’ll receive a small basket — free of charge — containing fresh lemonade, a cold refreshing towel, and chilled water — really great, right?! If desired, everything can easily be refilled!

The entire rooftop is dedicated to the pool area. Here, nestled between the two elevator towers, you’ll find the pool itself, and along the entire perimeter, pairs of lounge chairs with umbrellas. There’s also covered seating on both sides, as well as a small bar. On both sides of the building, you can enjoy the panoramic view and take in the unique scenery from the tallest building in the area. A special highlight for us was seeing the birds of prey using the building’s updraft to glide by — almost within arm’s reach!

Fitness Center

The indoor gym was well-equipped, but there were no windows facing the outside, and the room felt pretty closed in.

Restaurants

Jamavar

The hotel’s in-house Indian restaurant serves specialties from the northern part of the country. In a truly beautiful, upscale, yet still traditional Indian atmosphere, you can enjoy delicious, top-quality meals here.

We decided to spend our $100 credit at this restaurant during our stay, and weren’t disappointed in the least. The service was great, the food was absolutely delicious, and to top it all off, there was even live music!

So we had a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and afterward, were even asked if our waitress could take a souvenir photo with the two of us!

So we highly recommend Jamavar if you’re in New Delhi and in the mood for upscale Indian cuisine.

Le Cirque

Here you can enjoy high-quality Italian and French cuisine in a sophisticated setting.

Library Bar

This truly wonderful bar is inviting, cozy, and elegant all at once. In fact, as the name suggests, it has strong ties to a library, which adds even more charm to the entire space. You can also enjoy your drinks on the beautiful outdoor terrace.

Lobby Lounge

The truly classic Lobby Lounge serves as a check-in, waiting, and Lounge area all at once, without ever feeling hectic or noisy. While the overall impression is certainly one of a constant coming and going, the atmosphere remains very elegant and relaxed. During the day, you’ll even be treated to traditional Indian live music.

Megu

This Japanese restaurant offers a really cool atmosphere, both indoors and outdoors. Plus, you can enjoy classic Japanese Izakaya and Omakase experiences here.

The Qube

Located in a glass-enclosed space in the hotel’s courtyard, the all-day dining restaurant offers an international buffet for lunch and à la carte Thai cuisine in the evening. A large brunch is served on Sundays.

Breakfast

The Leela Palace New Delhi serves breakfast to its guests at the Qube Restaurant. As we arrived, the place was already quite busy, but we were greeted very warmly at the reception desk and escorted to an available table without any trouble. Once there, we were able to order our hot drinks right away and were asked if we’d like some chai — which was then served at our table, hot and straight from the pot into the cup provided just for that purpose — cool!

The space has a lovely, open layout and offers plenty of light and room without feeling noisy or hectic. Not many hotels manage to pull that off, so we’d like to give them a big thumbs-up.

In addition to a substantial buffet, there are also a few dishes available from a small menu. You can also order freshly prepared egg dishes and desserts from the buffet, which will then be served to your table.

Service

The service at The Leela Palace New Delhi is truly great and consistently top-notch. The staff are clearly very well-trained and do their jobs really well. Unfortunately, however, we have to make an exception for the front desk staff. We had a few interactions with them and somehow always felt like we were bothering them. Very strange. Check-out was, unfortunately, also extremely cold and irritable. To be honest, it wasn’t a particularly pleasant way to end such a wonderful stay.

A few more words about the follow-up review of our stay: A few days after we left, we received a standard email asking us to rate our stay, which we of course did. In the course of this, and after some back-and-forth, it turned out that our upgrade to the Club Room would indeed have given us access to the Club Lounge. However, we had asked about this several times while we were there and were always told that Club access wasn’t included — so that’s a shame! Unfortunately, this points to poor communication.

Checkout

As I mentioned earlier, the check-out process was, unfortunately, very impersonal and rather unfriendly. Here, too, we regrettably didn’t feel welcome at all and felt completely out of place. On top of that, the credit was missing from the bill and had to be deducted retroactively. That certainly didn’t help improve their mood. It’s a shame — as I said, this wonderful stay really deserved a better ending.

Costs

For this one night at The Leela Palace New Delhi, we were charged 23,700 IDR for the smallest room category, which was equivalent to about 215 euros at the exchange rate in May 2026. Breakfast and the room upgrade were included as part of the rate we booked, as was the 100 USD hotel credit.

Departure and Onward Travel

After staying at the Andaz Delhi, the JW Marriott Delhi Aerocity, and the Hyatt Regency Delhi, our journey now continues to the legendary Imperial New Delhi. From there, we’ll head to the Golden Triangle and then on to Goa and Mumbai. So stay tuned — it’s going to be exciting!

Conclusion

The Leela Palace New Delhi promises a lot and delivers on most of it. The service is truly excellent, and the amenities — as well as the entire hotel — really do feel quite like a palace. In a way, the concept feels a bit out of step with the times, but it still works really well. Here, the country’s history is blended with modern expectations, resulting in a truly excellent experience. The rooftop pool is, of course, in a class of its own, and a stay at this hotel is worth it for that alone!

So we can recommend this hotel to families, solo travelers, business travelers, and couples. There’s something for everyone here, and I think everyone will find it to their liking.

On our internal EVRYWHRE scale, The Leela Palace New Delhi has well and truly earned its place in the Luxury segment.

Rating

We award this stay at The Leela Palace New Delhi a well-deserved 9 out of a possible 10 points.

We’re deducting one point solely because of the poor check-out experience and the fact that we were denied access to the Club Lounge.

Go there?

Yes, definitely — although they should follow up more closely on the issue of club access during check-in: after all, a “Club Room” should actually mean a “Club Room.”

Book with EVRYWHRE

Would you like to stay at The Leela Palace New Delhi? Then book using our Preferred Partner rate! It won’t cost you any more, but it offers real benefits:

✔ Free breakfast
✔ Room upgrade, subject to availability
✔ $100 hotel credit OR a 50-minute massage
✔ Early check-in & late check-out
✔ Earn points—as usual

You can find all the details on our Booking Hub.

YouTube Review

Haven’t had your fill of The Leela Palace New Delhi yet and would like to enjoy even more of the view from the rooftop infinity pool? Then I recommend checking out our YouTube review. Enjoy!